Obscure
Musical Terms
Musical Terms
This dynamic instruction tells the performer to suddenly become soft without gradually getting quieter.
What is subito piano?
This color is Mr. Pichette's favorite.
What is green?
This American “March King,” composer of The Stars and Stripes Forever, lived from 1854–1932.
Who is John Philip Sousa?
This wind/reed instrument can be played by both inhalation and exhalation.
What is the harmonica?
This famous cartoon duck is known for his sailor suit and short temper.
Who is Donald Duck?
What is a scherzo?
This flavor used in desserts and candy is Mr. Pichette's favorite.
What is lemon? (Sour is also Acceptable)
This composer, famous for Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, lived from 1756–1791.
Who is W.A. Mozart?
This percussion instrument consists of a vertical stack of small bells arranged in a cone shape and is played with a stick to create a sparkling upward glissando. (We have one in the class!)
What is a bell tree?
This phrase describes a situation where everything is organized or going well, referencing ducks lined up neatly.
What is "having your ducks in a row"?
This expressive marking instructs the music to gradually die away in both volume and tempo.
What is morendo?
This favorite sport of Mr. Pichette's left him with two wrists in casts after an accident.
What is mountain biking?
This German composer of the Fifth Symphony lived from 1770–1827.
Who is Beethoven?
Often called a thumb piano, this instrument creates sound by plucking metal keys attached to a wooden resonator.
What is a kalimba?
This common duck species, often found in parks and ponds, is known for the male’s bright green head.
What is a mallard?
This term refers to examples when 3 equal beats of music are placed over 2. (or the inverse, 2 over 3. 3:2 ratio)
This rock band, famous for it's use of violin as an electric guitar role, is Mr. Pichette's favorite band.
Who is Yellowcard?
This American composer of Lincolnshire Posy lived from 1882–1961. (Technically, Australian-American)
Who is Percy Grainger?
This ancient instrument made of glass bowls that spin and produce sound when touched with wet fingers was once used by Mozart.
What is a glass harmonica?
The Indian Runner duck is nicknamed after this common beverage holding device.
What is a bottle? Google it! They look like bottles running around!
This term meaning “without measure” indicates a passage that should be played freely without a strict meter.
What is senza misura?
What is oncology? (cancer)
This Russian composer of The Firebird and The Rite of Spring lived from 1882–1971.
Who is Igor Stravinsky?
This unusual keyboard instrument produces sound using spinning wheels rubbing against strings.
What is a Hurdy Gurdy?
This term describes the waterproof oil that ducks spread on their feathers using a gland near their tail.
What is preening oil?